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3 Steelers who stood out in week 3 24-20 loss vs 49ers

By Jobe Morrison

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: T.J. Watt #90 and Cameron Sutton #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after Watt intercepted a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of an NFL football bam at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: T.J. Watt #90 and Cameron Sutton #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after Watt intercepted a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of an NFL football bam at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball after getting hit low by Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on September 22, 2019, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball after getting hit low by Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on September 22, 2019, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Minkah Fitzpatrick

The trade is paying off. The newly acquired safety from Miami played a heck of an opening game.

He started his day by snagging a tipped pass in for an interception. He single-handedly denied the 49ers from two scoring opportunities.

He was all over the field racking up 5 tackles and getting into the backfield. He recorded a quarterback hit as well–though it was questionably penalized.

The Steelers made the right move by trading for Fitzpatrick. He a standout performance in his first game on really a short week.

Does the question now shift to what will his role be in the defense? Can he take on the leadership role? Will he be anchored to a spot?

Fitzpatrick will need to have an equally positive performance moving forward as the Steelers seek answers in all phases of the game. Can he be the difference-maker they need him to be?

With Terrell Edmund’s hot and cold play, the Steelers will have to figure something out to make this work at the safety spot. Fitzpatrick might be the only consistent presence if things don’t improve.

It is just disappointing that this performance was spoiled by subpar play by middle linebackers and the offense.

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